Berkeley car rentals

Same drop-off
Driver's age: 26-65
Thu 8/6
Noon
Thu 15/6
Noon

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Cheap car rentals in Berkeley

EconomyC$ 70/day
CompactC$ 75/day
IntermediateC$ 75/day
StandardC$ 96/day
Full-sizeC$ 95/day
LuxuryC$ 171/day
Pick-up truckC$ 177/day
Intermediate SUVC$ 104/day
Standard SUVC$ 108/day
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

Top tips for renting a car in Berkeley

  • If you’re using Berkeley car rentals with two or more passengers, then consider using the carpool lanes. Also known as high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes or diamond lanes, these help to ease the flow of traffic while encouraging ride-sharing. In Berkeley and the broader Northern California area, carpool lanes are usually operational – that is, only meant for cars with two or more passengers – from Monday to Friday during peak hours. Often, this is around 6 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 7 pm. Outside of these hours, anyone may use the carpool lanes. Using the lane outside these hours can result in a fine.
  • If you want to get the most out of cheap car rentals in Berkeley, you’ll want to keep an eye out for local Berkeley events and US holidays that affect traffic patterns. First, on June 19th, people celebrate Juneteenth with street parades and outdoor activities along Alcatraz Avenue and Adeline Street in South Berkeley from roughly 11 am to 7 pm. On July 4th, people celebrated Independence Day with fireworks displays at Berkeley Marina, so expect extra traffic along University Avenue and Marina Boulevard. Finally, on the second week of September, the Solano Avenue Stroll features parades, events, and closed streets along Solano Avenue in North Berkeley.
  • Drivers of cheap car rentals in Berkeley don’t have to worry about tolls within the city of Berkeley itself. However, there are a few tolls to be aware of in neighboring counties and cities. If you plan on heading southwest toward San Francisco, the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge has a toll. Likewise, if you plan on going northwest towards San Rafael, there is the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge tool. If you drive south from there into San Francisco, you’ll need to pay the Golden Gate Bridge toll as well. All tolls are paid electronically, either through a FasTrack device, an online app, or an online website. You’re given five days before or after to pay the toll.
  • One of the main reasons to rent a car when visiting Berkeley is that, with one, it is a simple drive to reach the many wonderful nature parks that surround the city. For example, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers wonderful views of the bridge, bay, and the city. However, it is a slow process to get there via public transportation, while in a car it just an easy 30-minute drive from central Berkeley.
  • Looking to pick up a rental car for your time in Berkeley? If you are flying into San Francisco International Airport, the rental car counters are located in the Rental Car Center. To reach the Rental Car Center from the airport, simply hop onto the AirTrain Blue Line at any of the terminals and get off at the Rental Car Center stop.
  • Jaywalking is particularly common in Berkeley and drivers should be on the lookout for pedestrians, particularly when near UC Berkeley. This is partly because of the high density of pedestrians and also because of the many tiny streets in the area. In general, jaywalking isn’t as big of an issue as it is in some other big U.S. cities, but it is still something to look out for.
  • Berkeley, like many suburbs in large cities, suffers from daily bouts of rush hour. Typically, drivers can expect rush hour to last from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The evening rush hour can be particularly congested for drivers leaving the downtown area, so it is highly advised to time your driving accordingly. I-80 and the Bay Bridge are two spots to skirt around if you are looking to avoid traffic.
  • Book your rental car in Berkeley at least 6 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard rental cars in Berkeley are around -18% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Berkeley

Berkeley car rental reviews and directory

Budget

8.7

Very good

30 reviews

Cleanliness

8.8

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.6

Value for money

8.6

2 locations in Berkeley

Show locations

Locations in Berkeley

2000 Kittredge Street

+1 510 666 1270

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00
View deals

600 Gilman Street

+1 510 524 7237

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00
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Reviews

6.4 Okay

Mar. 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Upon dropping off the car, I was charged a higher amount than was on my original receipt. The receptionists at the dropoff location couldn't adequately explain why. They thought it was some insane reason like I picked up the car 10 minutes before my appointed time of noon on a Thursday...and that changed my rate somehow? I had to call Budget customer service to resolve it. Turns out they upcharged me for a sedan when I had reserved a compact car. I had nothing to do with that. I reserved a compact car and paid for a compact car. I just took whatever the hell car they gave me at the pickup location. The associate on the phone promised to refund me the difference.

9.6 Wonderful

Oct. 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was very friendly and helpful!

10.0 Wonderful

Mar. 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

easy and clean car

Cons:

N/a

10.0 Wonderful

Aug. 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

The manager of this location is very friendly and helpful. Together with his colleague they made the pick-up and drop-off processes quite easy and smooth.

10.0 Wonderful

Jun. 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Friendly service.

4.0 Mediocre

Apr. 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

easy to get the car

Cons:

made me buy a second insurance even though i expressed i had already bought a third party one through the booking site did not tell me when the store was closing on the day of my return so i had to pay for an additional day

1 out of 4

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.5

Best rated

Cleanliness

7.4

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.5

Value for money

7.4

4 locations in Berkeley

Show locations

Locations in Berkeley

1706 San Pablo Avenue

+1 510 526 3900

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00
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1990 Oxford St.

+1 510 223 6444

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00
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3001 Shattuck Ave

+1 510 841 8300

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00
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5858 Horton St Ste 193

+1 510 223 6444

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00
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Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Mar. 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

Nothing

10.0 Wonderful

Aug. 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Super easy

Cons:

A hybrid

2.0 Poor

Jul. 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

I got a text from Enterprise saying that there were no cars available from the location that was closest to me. Even though I reserved it through Kayak stating that the car that I reserved was available. Sucks. I canceled the reservation, went elsewhere.

2.0 Poor

Sep. 2019

KAYAK

Cons:

Did not have any vehicles available when I showed up, had to rent a vehicle through Budget, have not issued a refund yet.

7.6 Good

Jul. 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

I liked the car and that I could drop it off on Sunday

Cons:

I found some items in the car that were left from the previous person

10.0 Wonderful

Jul. 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was great, friendly, helpful and professional.

1 out of 18

Hertz

6.8

Cleanliness

7.3

Comfort

7.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.3

Value for money

6.8

One location in Berkeley

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Locations in Berkeley

1061 San Pablo Ave.

+1 510 558 1438

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Jan. 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Yes

2.0 Poor

Oct. 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing. Told me they didn’t haven’t care.

Cons:

Not being extremely rude, and announce they have the right to cancel my reservation at Hertz if they don’t have cars even though it said they do online. Multiple other car agencies said they do not have cars available. Hertz said they did and the man at the desk was very rude and unhelpful.

2.0 Poor

Aug. 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Poor poor poor. Everything is poor.

4.0 Mediocre

Jul. 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Absolutely nothing was positive about this experience.

Cons:

The Albany Hertz: horribly understaffed with TERRIBLE service. Car rentals usually require some amount of patience, but this place is horrible. The phone rings off the hook, the wait is at least an hour, and they are totally understaffed.

2.0 Poor

Mar. 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Everything

4.0 Mediocre

Nov. 2018

KAYAK

Cons:

I rented a car from Wednesday thru Sunday for a specific amount of money. When I picked up the car I was told they were closed Sunday and I would be charged for an extra day till Monday. They said if I had a problem to take it up with the on line place I rented it with.

1 out of 10

Avis

6.5

Cleanliness

6.5

Comfort

6.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.5

Value for money

6.8

2 locations in Berkeley

Show locations

Locations in Berkeley

2000 Kittredge Street

+1 510 705 8991

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00
View deals

600 Gilman Street

+1 510 558 0441

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00
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Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Jun. 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Friendly service, nice vehicles

10.0 Wonderful

Jun. 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Service at the location was excellent. Vehicle was excellent.

6.4 Okay

Apr. 2017

KAYAK

Cons:

We called corporate office to extend reservation, and they said we were all set. We had our doubts because the girl my boyfriend talked to seemed confused. When we called the local drop off location, the next day. they said they had no extension on file and charged us a late fee.

10.0 Wonderful

Apr. 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff upon pickup were very good. The car was clean and in good condition.

Cons:

Returning was slow as there was only one employee who was staffing the desk, washing cars, and moving cars around the lot. This seems unfair both on the employee and customers waiting.

2.0 Poor

Aug. 2016

KAYAK

Cons:

I was not made aware that a credit card was needed for rentals nor that a soft credit report would be pulled.

10.0 Wonderful

Feb. 2016

KAYAK

Pros:

Very nice proprietor. Very nice car (upgrade from what I'd reserved). Helpful orienting me to car controls.

Cons:

Nothing I didn't like but I wish they didn't close so early on Saturday. Had to pay for an extra day because I couldn't get back from my trip by 1:00 PM and there was no option to leave the car and the keys.

1 out of 3

Thrifty

No score available yet

One location in Berkeley

Show locations

Locations in Berkeley

1061 San Pablo Avenue

+1 510 558 1438

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
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Filters

No reviews available

197 travellers who rented a car in Berkeley gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.4

Car rental locations in or near Berkeley

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a rental car in Berkeley

Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches